Feed Consumption and Growth Dynamics of Sheep Fed Agro-industrial Waste with Hibiscus rosasinencis Flower and Urea Supplementation

Abstract

Optimizing the use of agro-industrial waste as an alternative feed ingredient for sheep requires the right strategy. The use of feed additives and supplements is needed to improve the performance of sheep in utilizing agro-industrial waste-based feed. The use of hibiscus flour as a source of saponins is important to optimize rumen microbial growth by suppressing the growth of protozoa. The addition of urea is used to supply nitrogen sources to optimize the performance of rumen microbes. This study used 15 thin tail sheep aged 8 months with an average weight of 13.98 ± 1.1 kg, the experimental design used was CRD (Completely Randomized Design) with 3 types of treatment and 5 times repetition, namely R1 (control / without supplementation), R2 (supplementation of 0.1 % hibiscus flower and Urea 0.5%), R3 (supplementation of 0.2% hibiscus flower and 1% Urea). The objective of this research was to measure feed consumption and growth dynamics. The results showed that the addition of hibiscus flour and urea to the feed formula had no significant effect on the feed consumption of sheep. The growth dynamics of sheep showed a decrease in the first week of the trial, and gradually showed an increase in the second week. The highest growth increase was achieved in R3 treatment at 6 weeks of the feeding trial. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that sheep fed with 0.2% hibiscus flour supplementation and 1% Urea (R3) showed the best ability in utilizing agro-industrial waste-based feed. Keywords: Feed consumption, Growth Dynamic, Sheep, Agroindustrial waste, Supplementatio

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